Promises, promises: Tony Abbott

Introducing a possible 'deficit tax' would not break an election promise of no new taxes, says Tony Abbott. But what constitutes a broken promise in the mind of the Prime Minister?

Ms Clancy is opposed to the changes being considered by the Prime Minister. But not for the reasons one might expect.

The swinging voter said she is happy to pay an extra $15 from a week from her annual wages of just over $80,000 if the money was “well spent”. However she does not think billions should be spent on the East West Link or 58 Joint Strike Fighters.

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“It wouldn't bother me if the money was being used to improve mass public transit, bike commuting infrastructure, education, healthcare and better treatment of the poor and asylum seekers,” she said.

“Instead it is going to buy fighter jets that are flaky, a road that isn't going to solve our traffic problems, another review of the NBN or some other review … and parental leave that shouldn't even be considered if the budget is so tight.”

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It does mean the couple might have to miss an overseas holidays if the Abbott government decides to skim an extra $1800 off their annual household wage.

She said she also was against spending on the Prime Minister’s $5.5 billion paid parental leave, despite the fact she and her husband Ryan wanted to start their own family soon. ''In this current climate, do they need to introduce something like that?''

Ms Clancy said generous leave payments would have no impact on her choice to have children.